Chinese language typewriter and the like



Dec. 17, 1946. CHUNG-CHIN KAO 1 CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPEWRITER AND THE LIKE 7 Original Filed July 7, 1943 12 sheets sheet l BY ATTORNE Dec. 17, 1946. u -1 KAO 2,412,777

CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPEWRITER AND THE LIKE Original Fild July 7, 1945 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 A/*@@@@@@OQO@ B/'@@@@@@@ c pH@@@@@@@@@@- cl/u/vq cflklv 1 -INVENTOR Dec. 17, 1946. c uugc -n K o 2,412,777

' CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPEWRITER' AND THE LIKE 7 Original Filed July 7, 1943 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 illl'll INVENTOR c/m/va CH/n K40 17, 9 CHUNG-CHIN KAO CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPEWRITER AND THE LIKE Original Filed July 7, 1943 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. '17, 1946.

CHUNG-CHIN KAO CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPEWRIT ER AND THE LIKE 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed July 7, 1943 IN'VENTOR ATTORNE Dec. 17, 1946,

CHUNG-CHIN KAO CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPEWRITER AND THE LIKE Original Filed July 7, 1943 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 6-D JELECTUR INVENTOR 2W? ATTORNEY A 1? JELEcm/r Dec. 17, 1946. CHUNG-CHIN KAO CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPEWRITER AND THE LIKE Original Filed July '7, 1943 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 TEL-11:2

Q/ll/IVG- (Ill/7v A71 0 INVENTOR ATTORNE;

Dec."17, 1946. 7

v CHUNG-CHIN K Ao CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPEWRITER AND THE LIKE Original Filed July 7, 1945 12 ShQts-Sheet 8 INVENTOR CM/Nccan A790 Ta lea Dec. 17, 1946. c KAQ 2,412,777

' CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPEWRITER'AND THE LIKE Original Filed July 7, 1943 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 7 2 r72: F14 rim F j YINVENTORI' Dec. 17, 1946. CHUNG-CHIN KAO 2,412,777

flHINESE! LANGUAGE TYPEWRITER AND THE LIKE Original Filed July '7, 1943 l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 c' yg-Cll/fl MO INVENTOR ATTORNE Dec.17, 1946. CHUNG-CHIN KAO 2,412,777

7 CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPEW'RITER AND THE LIKE Original Filed July '1, 1945 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 A -& ssuscron (wan 4- CHI/IV A710 INVENTOR ATTO R N E Dec. 17, 1946. CHUNG-CHIN KAO 2,412,777

CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPEWRITER AND THE LIKE Original Filed July 7, 1943 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 CHI/N: /v Kw INVENTOR Patented Dec. 17, 1946 CHINESE LANGUAGE TYPEWRITER AND E LIKE. Chung-Chin Kao, New York, N. Y.

Continuation of application Serial plication June 28,

July 7, 1943. Serial No. 542,492

23 Claims.

This invention relates to typewriters and more particularly to typewriters which are capable of printing directly any ideographic characters, such as Chinese characters and the like.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a keyboard-controlled machine for printing a large number of Chinese characters with avery much smaller number of keys. In achieving this object, the large number of characters are se-- lected' by the keyboard by percentage type digit selectors.

A still further object is to provide an improved digit selecting system for selecting one of 6000 Chinese characters for printing under control of a specially devised four digit numbered code.

A feature of the invention relates to a novel form of type-face cylinder for use in Chinese character printing machines generally.

Another feature relates to a novel method and mechanisms for mechanically or electro-meohani ally selecting for printing or transfer, one of a large number of Chinese characters.

Another feature relates to a Chinese character printing machine comprising a rotatable drum or cylinder carrying on its periphery a large number of Chinese characters, e. g., 6000, arranged in coordinate rows, in conjunction with a coordinate selecting system whose operation is controlled in accordance with a specially devised numerical code.

Another iea-t-ure relates to keyboard-controlled Chinese character printing machines, e. a manually or electrically operated type-Writer with four banks of keys, each bank being allotted to a corresponding digit of a l-digit numerical code.

One pair of key banks controls the coordinate setting of a series of line-selecting members, e. -g., 60; while the second pair of key banks controls the selective setting of one of a series of rows, e.g., 100 rows. The 6000 characters are arranged on a plate or cylinder in 6 circumferential lines and each line comprises separate characters. Thus the successive operation of a numbered key in each of the four hanks causes the selection of a definite one of the coco characters, which upon selection can be used to print or transfer to a suitable printing surface, e. g, a page oipaper.

Another feature relates to a novel term. of Chinese character printing platen for automatic manually-controlled chines.

A further ieature relates to a keyboard-controlled mechanism whereby a keyboard of 36 keys is provided with actuating mechanism whereby This an keyboard printing rna- 2 the operation of a set of four keys automatically selects for printing, a definite one of 6000 characters.

A further feature relates to an electrical selecting circuit for use with Chinese character printing machines, e. g., typewriters, Linotypes, teletypes, etc., whereby any one of 6000 Chinese characters can be automatically selected and printed merely by operating a set of four keys Whose digital sequence, is coded with the character to be printed.

A still further feature relates to the novel organization, arrangement and relative intercom nection of parts which cooperate to produce a simple and accurate Chinese language printer such as a typewriter, Teletype, Linotype and the like.

Other features and advantages not specifically enumerated will become apparent after a consideration of the following descriptions and the appended claims.

In the drawings, which represent certain preferred embodiments,

Fig. 1 is a front face view or a typewriter embodying the inventive features.

Fig. 2 is a right-hand end view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top-plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diametrical schematic view or" the type face drum of Figs. 1 to 3.

*ig. 5 is a detailed perspective view or one of the type face quadrants of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is an end elevational View similar to Fig. 2, but with certain cover plates removed to show the essential internal structural arrangements.

Fig. l is a detailed view of the selection stopping cam for the selective rotary movement of the printing drum.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of Fig. 6, taken along the line 8-0 thereof viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8a is a sectional view of Fig. 8, the line ta -Ba thereof.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the paper holder, paper carriage and associated control mechanism.

Figs. 10 to 13 are diagrammatic explanatory views showing the various stages in the setting of the selective stops for the paper carriage and printing drum respectively.

Fig. 141s an enlarged view of part or the mechani'srn of Fig. 6;

Fig. 15. is a plan view of one bank of selective Sto s.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the group-stop selectors cooperating with the steps of Fig. 15.

Fig. 1'? is an exploded view of the unit-stop taken along on ball bearings M (Fig.

3 selectors cooperating with those of Figs. 15 and 16.

Fig. 18 is a front view of Fig. 15.

Figs. 19 to 22 are schematic diagrams similar to those of Figs. 10 to 13 explanatory of another embodiment of the invention employing electrical controls between the keyboard and the selective mechanism.

Fig, 23 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuits utilized in the electrical embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 24 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the electrical embodiment with which the circuits of Fig. 23 cooperate.

Figs. 25 and 26 are detailed views of another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 27 is a simplified schematic explanatory diagram of the invention.

Fig. 28 is a perspective front view of the typewriter according to the invention,

The typewriter, according to the invention, is adapted to print any one of 6000 characters of which 5900 are Chinese ideographs and 100 are for special indicia such as English alphabet letters, numbers, symbols, etc. The invention is capable of embodiment in a purely mechanical typewriter (Figs. 1 to 18) or in an electrically controlled typewriter (Figs. 19 to 24). Any wellknown kind of motive power may be used for moving the printing drum, paper carriage, etc.

in the mechanical embodiment, the drum and paper carriage may each be provided with a separate spring motor which may be wound up manually during the return movement of the paper carriage as is writer art. If desired, these motors may be sep arate hand-wound spring motors such as phonograph motors which can be wound up at regular intervals to provide the necessary motive v power.

The machine has a keyboard consisting of four rows A, B, C, D, (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). Row A has numbered keys to 5. The numerical keys of row A are operated in accordance with the first or thousands digit of a her which is previously assigned to each of the 5900 Chinese ideographs. Row B has ten keys 0 to 9, which are operated in accordance with the hundreds digit of the said code number. Likewise, rows C and D, each of ten keys, are operated respectively in accordance with the tens and units digit of the code number. After a key in each of the rows has been operated, the printing control key T is operated, whereby a pivotally mounted printing hammer I presses the paper 2 against the selected character on the printing drum 3, it being understood that a suitable inked ribbon is located between the paper riage 5. A pair of dexed vertically any desired line spacing distance.

Inasmuch as such line index mechanisms are well-known in typewriter constructions, detailed description thereof is notrequired herein.

The carriage 5 is-slidably mounted, preferably 14), in the channeled well-known in the typefour-unit code num- .at opposite ends of member i5.

upper edge of a selectively shiftable holder I 5, which itself is slidable so as to position the printing hammer i carried by holder 15, in registry with a selected circumferential row of type face characters on drum 3. In order to space the paper to the left the distance of one letter space after the printing of each character and in order to move the members 5 and I5 as a unit to the right for the selective setting, there is attached to member 8 of the paper carriage a spring-pressed detent l6 which cooperates with a toothed rack I! supported for slight upward and downward movement on bracket i la The member I? is normally held in its raised position by springs Nb and is adapted to be momentarily lowered to allow the detent it to clear a tooth in the member I? so that the paper carriage 5 can be indexed to the left one letter space. The carriage 5 is connected by a cord or cable iii to a spring motor [9 (Fig. 6), which'is normally wound up so as to tend to pull the carriage 5 to the left (Fig. 9). The lug 23 which depends from the member l5 carries 2. lug 23a extending at right angles to the member i5 and whose rounded end 2322 is adapted to engage the lower arm of toggle link 23d whose upper arm is connected to the ratchet bar-l1. Consequently, just as the member l5 returns to its normal position the toggle 23 is momentarily broken to lower the bar I! and thereby allow the paper carriage 5 to index one letter space to the left under control of tensioned cable i8, whereupon the detent it engages the next tooth in the said bar I7. Also attached to the rear face of member 15 (Fig. 9), is another ratchet bar i'5a, which cooperates with a springpressed detent 151), so that when member l5, which carries printing hammer i, selectively moves to the right it carries with it the paper holder 5. Detent [5b of course does not interfere with the movement of holder 5 to the left and likewise detent it does not interfere with the movement of holder 5 to the right. The member 23d is also connected through suitable linkage (not shown) to the spacer bar S so that by depressing that bar the ratchet bar il can be momentarily lowered to eifect paper carriage 5 without printing, thus allowing spring motor Hi to index the carriage 5 one letter space to the left. At the end of each printed line, carriage 5 can be manually returned to the right in the manner well-known in typewriter constructions for example by any well-known carriage return lever (not shown) which when it is operated to restore the carriage, raises the pawl 5512 from engagement with the rack i5a, causing spring motor Iii to be rewound;

The selective carriage [5 on which the paper carriage 5 is slidable is supported on-ball bearing guides or rails 28, which are attached to a suitable fixed bracket 2i. The carriage I5 is of the return-to-normal type, its normal position being at the extreme left as shown in Fig. 9. For this purpose, carriage i5 is connected to a spring-tensioned cord or cable 22 which tends to hold the carriage with its downwardly projecting stop lug 23 in engagement with a fixed abutment 24. I5 carries a horizontal rack bar 25 (Figs. 9 and 14), and mounted to cooperate with rack 25 is a spring-pressedlocking pawl 26 (Fig. 9) which normally prevents carriage l5 moving to the left after carriage It has been selectively set. However, pawl 26 is connected through a suitable link 2605 to the printing key T, so that when that key is despacing of the .arm 3'! of the printing .hammer 'of the retaining pawl device 46. normally the shiftable element of clutch 41*is "pressed and :then released, ltireleases pawl .25 andrallows the .carriage I 5 to move .lto'the left by :means of the tension 'on cable '22. Carriage 1-5 .ZlS positively driven to effect its selective posiits selectivemovement, there is provided .a pinion wheel 29 which engages the teeth of bar 25. Wheel 29 is connected to the spring motor 28 which tends to drive the wheel 29 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 9). Motor 23 is connected to wheel '29 through any well-known shiftable clutch arrangement 38, the s'hiftable element 3| of which is connected to a bail 33, so that when a key in row B is depressed it releases pawl 26, and. clutches wheel 29 to the motor shaft 32. It will be understood that motor 28 is also provided with a one-way pawl and ratchet detent 28a, which normally prevents the motor shaft 32 from rotating. The detent of pawl 28a is connected to a bail .34 which extends across the key levers'35 of row B. As long as any key in row B is depressed, the wheel 29 is coupled to motor 28 which is at the same time released for rotation. Thus carriage I5 is positively driven to the right until it engages the previously set selective stop 21.

.By means of pawl '25 and bar 25, the carriage i5 is held in its selected position until after the printing hammer l has executed its printing blow. The hammer I is pivotally attached at its lower end to the carriage at the left-hand end thereof, so as to pivot about ahorizontal axis only, but is movable rigidly as a unit with carriage I 5. The key T operates a pull bar 28b which carries a bail 29 normally out of contact with the (Fig. 6).. Hammer i' is normally .held in a non-printing position away .irom the paper 2, by a suitable spring 3|. However, .key T is not intended to be operated for printing until akey in each of the rows A, B, C and D, has been operated.

In response .to the operation of a key in row A and then in row B, the carriage I5 is positioned with the hammer I in alignment with the selected circumferential row of characters on 3. The next step in the operation is to rotate the drum to bring the particular character in the selected circumferential row of the drum into printing relation with the hammer. For this purpose, drum 3 is keyed to a shaft M which is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings (not shown) and attached to one end of shaft ii! is a sprocket 4! which is engaged by a driving chain i-Z. Chain 42 also engages a sprocket Q3 attached to countershaft-M, (Fig. 6), suitably mounted in bearings and parallel to, but beneath drum 3. Shaft Mi may be driven by any suitable motor, for example by a spring barrel motor it, provided with a release control pawl and, ratchet arrangement 46, and a clutch arrangement il, these parts corresponding to parts 28a and '30 above described. Normally the motor spring .is wound up, butis prevented from turning the shaft 48 by reason Likewise,

unclutched. However, "when a key in .row D is operated, it causes the link 49 to raise member 50 toireleasethe retaining pawl, and at the same time :link at engages member 5| to couple the motor 45 in driving relation to shaft 48. Shaft 58 through "suitable reduction gearing (not shown), causes shafts M and it to rotate.

Itshould be observed that in order to stop the rotary motion of the drum, a percentage-type selecting mechanism is provided similar to that employed for'stopping theselective motion of carriage [5. However, in the case of the drum, the shaft 44 carries a helical cam orridge 52 (Fig. 7)., which is adapted to be engaged by any one of a hundred selective stops 2'! which normally clear the cam 52. When one of the stops 2'! is selected it is shifted into the path of the cam 52 so that it stops the drum 3 with a corresponding selected character in registry with hammer I. Since the drum has no definite normal position, when it has been stopped selectively, it remains in that position until rotated again for the next selection. If desired however, the drum 3 may be in continuous rotation between its selective stoppings. The type faces are mounted or cast on four separate cylindrical quadrants, one of which is shown in Fig. 5, and the quadrants are adapted to be bolted or otherwise fastened around the periphery of the drum 3 as shown in Fig. 4. Alternatively the type faces may be in a single complete cylindrical surface or support.

The A and B digit selectors in a suitable bracket 60 and extending across the machine in the rear of carriage It, a pin block iii, in which are slidably mounted sixty stop pins 21 (Figs. 6, 8 and 15). Each pin is provided with an individual retractile spring 2111, so that it is normally held to the right (Fig. 6) so as to clear the stop lug 23 which depends from the carriage l5. Attached to the rear end of each numerical key lever 36 in row A, is a block 63 (Figs. 6, 8 and 16), each block having ten pins (54 slidably mounted therein, said pins being in the same vertical planes with the corresponding series of pins or stops 21. Each pin 64 has an individual retractile spring 64a, which normally holds the left-hand end of pin 64, spaced clear of the righthand end of the corresponding pin 21. The blocks 63 are normally held ,in raised position as shown in Fig. 6 either by the key lever tension springs or by individual springs (not shown), so that the pins 64 are vertically clear of the pins 21. Each pin 64 has, at its right-hand end, a downwardly depending arm 35. Consequently, as any one of the numerical keys in row A is operated, it causes the corresponding block 63 to be lowered, thus bringing the corresponding set of ten pins 64 into alignment with the corresponding ten pins 21.

Mounted in the rear of members 65 is a slotted .frame 66 (Fig. 8a) in which are slidably mounted above one another, ten bars 61, each bar being individually connected through suitable le- "i members .65. However, each bar 61 has six pins 55 each allotted to the corresponding pin 54 in eachof the groupsin blocks 63. Thus, the top bar 61 (Figs. 6, 8, 8a and 17) has six pins '69 on its face, each of which six pins is in alignment with the first pin 64 in each of the blocks and clutch 3t any of the stops 2'! is selectively ping position, thus insuring that the selection V nected to pawl It so that when 63. Likewise, the next lower bar 67 has six pins each of which is in alignment with the second pin 54 in each of the blocks 03. The pins 69 normally clear the members 65. However, when a key in row B is operated, the corresponding six pins 64 in each of the blocks 03 are pushed by the selected bar 61. But while six pins 64 are thus pushed, only one is effective to set a stop 27, because only one of the blocks 63 has been lowered by prior operation of a numerical key in row A. Consequently, only one of the stops 2? is pushed into the path of lug 23. It will be understood that the keys of the various rows are of the locking type so that when depressed they remain depressed. However, they are provided with a common unlocking means which is connected through suitable links (not shown) to the key T, so that when the latter is operated-and then released, it releases all the previously operated keys. Since key locking and releasing mechanisms of this type are well known in the art, detailed description thereof is not required herein. As above described, when a key in row B is operated, the shaft of motor 48 is released is operated to cause the carriage i5 to be driven to the right until the lug 23 engages the selected sto 27. Preferably, the key levers of row B operate the members 33 and 34 through suitable lost motion links (not shown) to allow the pins 21 before the carriage starts its sliding movement. If desired, the members 33 and 34 can be connected to a common bar which is operated when of the stops is eifected prior to the movement of the carriage. It should be observed that during this selective movement of carriage I5, the paper holder 5 moves with it as a unit, and when the carriage I5 returns to normal after the p intin it carries with it the paper holder. However, as pointed out above, the printing key T is conit is released after printing, the paper holder 5 is automatically indexed one letter space to the left in this relation to carriage I 5until the next character is printed.

The C and D digit selectors The means for selectively stopping the drum rotation is substantially the same as that described for the A and B selection and the corresponding parts in Fig. 6 are designated by the same numerals primed. In order that the sequence of the selective setting of the stops may be more clearly understood, reference may be had to Figs. 10 to 13 which show diagrammatically the successive stops in the four key selections.

Fig. 10 shows how in response to the operation of a numerical key in row A the corresponding block 63 is lowered. Fig. 11 shows how the operation of a key in row B operates one of thebars 6'! whereby the selected stop 2-! is positioned in the path of the stoplug 23. Fig. 12 shows how the operation of a key in row C selects one of the pin blocks 63', whereas Fig. 13 shows how the operation of key in row D selects one of the bars 61 so as to project a particular one of the hundred stops 21 into the path of the helical cam 52. While in the foregoing the machine is capable of printing'any one of6000 characters, it will be obvious that by using the additional four keys in row A and using additional corresponding group and units selectors together with additional four circumferential rows of characto be selectively operated and remains moved to stop- 7 t'ers on the drum,tlie machine can be used to print as many as 10,000 different characters. It will also be understood that the machine may be designed to print a smaller number of characters with a corresponding reduction of the selective mechanism.

The electrically controlled typewriter rows A and C, are corresponding stationary 'contacts IOI; and cooperating with the movable contacts of the B and D keys, are corresponding double contact sets I02, the contacts of each set ,being insulated from each other and being adapted to be bridged by the cooperating movable contact of the key. The contacts of the A keys numerical keys in spective magnet which controls a respective pin block 03. The keys of row B are likewise individually connected to respective electromagnets C control their respective electromagnets C-0 to C9 (Fig. 24), whose plungers are connected respectively to the pin block 63'." Likewise, the keys of row D control respective electromagnets D-0 to 13-9 (Fig. 23),,and thus control respective members 03. to projectthe desired stop 21 into the path of cam 52 as above described. Each of the magnets A-0 to A5,B0 to 3-9, D-9, are so arranged trically looked over a circuit which extends through the normally closed contact I05 of the printing key T. This printing key has another contact set I06 which is normally open but which closes when the key is depressed. However, this contact set I06 is so arranged that it closes before the contact set I05 is broken. When the contact set I00 is closed, it completes a circuit through electromagnet I01, which operates the printer hammer I. T It should be noted that when anyof them'agnet's B0 to B 9 is operated, it completes a circuit through the clutch control magnet I08, which in turn operates a magnetic clutch I09 corresponding functionally to the mechanical clutch This connects the continuously during the selective a r-rates H2 (corresponding functionally to the clutch 41 of Fig. 6), thus connecting another electric motor I l3-in driving relation with the drum shaft 40. Here again the clutch H2 is preferably of the slip-friction type. When the drum has been thus selectively positioned and the printing key T is operated, the locking circuits for the various electromagnets are open and the two clutches are deenergized. On the backward stroke of the printing hammer, the retaining pawl 26 (Fig. 9) is released to allow riage i5 back to normal position in engagement with stop 2%. It will be observed that in this connection, the cable 22 may be replaced by a tension spring. All the electrical controls above described are now returned to normal condition in readiness for the next printing selection.

The method of selectively stopping the paper carriage and the drum is the same as above described in connection with the mechanical embodiment of the machine. In Fig. 24, the printing key T is also connected through a mechanical linkage I to control the escapement of the spring motor 12f which controls the letter space indexing movement of the paper carriage so that after the printing hammer has operated, the paper isautomatically indexed one letter space to the left. The usual spacer bar 5 is also connected in the well-known manner to the paper carriage release so that the paper can beletterspaced without printing.

Referring to Figs. and 26, there is illustrated a still further embodiment of the invention which is substantially identical with that of Figs. 1 to 18. In this embodiment however, riage 5 is not movable on the selective carriage l5 but is independently supported for indexing motion. as is customary with the paper carriages of usual typewriters. On the contrary, the drum is not only rotated as above described but is also longitudinally moved in order to present th desired. type face to the printing point. Thus, as shown in Fig. 25, the drum 3 is keyed to the driving shaft I23 in such a way that as the shaft I23 rotates it causes the drum 3 to rotate. Likewise, the drum 3 is slidably keyed on shaft l23 so that it can be moved longitudinally thereof. In order to effect the longitudinal movement of the drum, thearrns Band 9 above described are extended and their upper ends are forked so as to partially surround the shaft H3 and to engage the drum ends. The arms 8 and 9 form part of the carriage l5 above described which is selectively moved to the right (Fig. 25) until the lug 23'engages one of the selective stops 21. The stops 21 are set under control of the A and B key rows as above described. The rotational selective movement ofthe drum 3 is controlled by the C and D key rows undercontrol of the stops 21 which cooperate with the helical cam 52.

The only essential difference therefore between the embodiment of Figs. 25 and 26 and that of Figs. 1 to 18 is that in the embodiment of Figs. 25 and 26, the ordinary paper holder 5' does not se lectively move to the right, but of course is index-- ible to the left for letter spacing in the usual manner. Therefore, the paper does not move operation of the mechanism; the first selective movement resulting in the setting of member l5 merely positions the drum 3 with the proper circumferential row of characters in line with the printing hammer i. The" next selective movement controlled by the C and be rotated as present the selected character D key rows causes the drum 3 to above described to the paper carthe cable 22 to pull the carin the selected circumferential row to the print-' The printing key is thereupon operated to cause the printing hammer to print the desired character on the paper. It is believed that the manner of operation of the embodiment of Figs. 25 and 26. will be clear from the escriptions already given. It will be understood, of course, that the selective mechanisms for the embodiment stops 2? and 21 of Figs. 25 and 26, may be controlled entirely mechanically from the keyboard; or, if desired, the selecting mechanisms-for the stops 21 and 21 may be controlled electrically as described in connection with Figs. 19 to 23.

Referring to Fig. 27, the foregoing described embodiments are illustrated diagrammatically so as to-simplify the sequence of operations. Thus, when a key in each of the rows A and B is operated; theappropriate stop 21 of the A--B digit selector is set. At the same time the motor 28 causes the member i5 together with the paper carriage ii, to be drawn to the right against the tension of. cable 22 until the stop lug 23 engages the selected stop 21. It will be understood that the A-B digit selector can be set either mechanically'under control of the A--IB key rows as in the embediment of Figs. 1 to 18, or electrically as in embodiment of Figs. 19 to 24'. If the motor 28 is a spring. barrel motor, it will be wound up during. themanua-l returnof the paper carriage to its normalposition at, the end of each line as isawell-k'nown in typewriter constructions. The member i5 is retained in its selected stopped position by means'of i hedetent-Zii which cooperates with the'tooth'member 29. It will be understood, or. course, that the showing of Fig. 2'7 is schematic, andathat the parts 25 and 29 may correspond to-the parts 26 and 29' (Fig. 9). When the member ldtogether. with the printing hammer l has-been selectively moved and stopped, a key in each ofthe; rows C and D-is operated to set the selected stop 21 of the C-D digit selector. This selector may be set either mechanically from the key rows,,or.. electrically as above mentioned. If the. drurnt is incontinuous rotation, it is stopped in its selected positionby engagement of the cam 52 with the selected stop 21C. lLnFig. 27 the cam isillustrated in the form of one hundred discrete lugs helically arranged around the drum shaft but it will'be understood, of course, that a single continuous helical ridge maybe employed in place of these individual cams. The selected character on the, drum 3 is now in registry with the printingv hammer l. Consequently'when the key T'is" depressed, it operates the said hammer to press the paper on the paper carriage against the selected charactenit. being understood that the usualinkedribbon (not shown) is located between thedrum' and the paper. When the printing key is released, the various selector mechanisms arerestored to normal as above described and at the same time a; detent such as the detent l8" (FigcB), is momentarily released to enablethe carriage'tobe-pulled by its tension cableone'letter'space to the left. The motors MS and M2 may be spring motors simlartomotors 28 and iii-(Fig. 6) or continuously running electric" motors similar to motors H0; H3, (Fig. 2%) with interveningslip-frictionclutches W9, I I2.

Various changes" and modifications may be made-in the disclosed embodiments without departing from the-spirit and scope of the invention; Whilein the foregoing embodiment reference is'made to 6000 characters; it will be obvious that" by using the four additional ing point.

blank keys in tion Serial No. 493,722, filed July 7, 1943.

What I claim is: 1. A keyboard-controlled typewriter of the character-described comprising a type-face carsponsive to the combined setting of said first and second digit-selecting elements for controlling the relative movements between said carrier and said hammer.

ter spacing movement.

4. A keyboard-controlled typewriter of the character described, comprising a type-face carprinting hammer.

5. A typewriter according to claim 4 in which the type faces are arranged on the carrier in row, and means responsive to third digital one of the last mentioned operated group of members under control digital group.

6. A keyboard-controlled typewriter for print- 7. A keyboard-controlled typewriter for printing gnaw the operation of align a selected group of the first digit-controlled means with the corresponding group of said stops, and means responsive to the operation of a key in another group of keys to operate a particular one of the second digit-c ntrolled means to there-- by operate a particular one of said selected group and a particular one of said stops whereby said paper holder is stopped in a selected position, and means to move said paper holder until it is stopped by said particular one of said stops.

9. A keyboard-controlled printing machine according to claim 7 in which the keyboard is provided with four banks of keys, the keys of the first bank being linked to the first digit-selecting means, the keys of the second bank being linked to the second digit-selecting means, the keys of the third bank being linked to the third digitselecting means, and the keys of the fourth bank being linked to the fourth digit-selecting means, the setting of said third and fourth digit-selecting means determining the selective stopping of said drum, and means to rotate said drum until it is stopped by the setting of a stop controlled by the third and fourth digit-selecting means.

10. A keyboard-controlled typewriter oi the character described comprising a type-face drum and a printing hammer arranged to undergo relative coordinate motions to present a particular typeface to the hammer. a single keyboard consisting of four groups of keys, four sets of selective members each set being controlled by a corresponding row of said keys, means responsive to the operation of a key in each of tworows for setting two of said sets of selector members to control one of said cordinate motions, and means responsive to the operation of a key in each of the two remaining rows for setting the remaining two sets of select-or members to control the other coordinate motion.

11. A keyboard-controlled typewriter according to claim 10 in which a common printing control key is provided for operating the printing hammer after said four sets of selector members have been selectively operated.

12. A keyboard-controlled typewriter of the character described comprising a type-face drum, a printing hammer, means to rotate said drum, means to produce relative axial movement between said drum and hammer to present a par ticular type face on said drum to said hammer, an abutment movable with the drum in its axial motion, a plurality of selectively shi'itable stops, a first selector means between said keyboard and said shiftable stops and including a plurality of selector members settable in different combinations to present a particular one of said stops to said abutment, another abutment movable with the drum in its rotational motion, a second p1 rality of selectively shiitable stops, a second selector means between said keyboard and said second set of stops and including a plurality of selector members settable in different combinations to present a particular stop of the second set to said other abutment.

13. A keyboard-controlled typewriter according to claim 12 in which said drum is operated axially by means of a frame which carries a driving rack in engagement with a driving pinion, and the second-mentioned abutment is in the form of helically arranged cam means.

14. A keyboard-controlled typewriter according to claim 12 in which said drum is provided with means for returning it to a normal position a key in one group or keys to through the intermediary of a 1-4 axially at the completion of each operation of said printing hammer.

15. A keyboard-controlled typewriter according to claim 12 in which a pair of slip clutches are provided for applying the rotary motive power to the drum and for applying the axial motive power, means responsive to the setting or the first-mentioned selector means for operating one of said clutches, and means responsive to the setting of the second-mentioned selector means for operating the other or said clutches.

16. A keyboard-controlled typewriter comprising a type-face drum, rotary motion stopping cam means, axial motion stopping cam means, a first selector mechanism cooperating with the rotary motioncam and including a plurality of selector members settable in difierent combinations, a second selector mechanism cooperating with the axial motion cam and including a plurality of members settable in different combinations. a slip-friction clutchfor the rotary motion, a slipfriction clutch for the axial motion, each of said selector mechanisms comprising a series of shiftable group members and a series of shiftable unit members, akeyboard having four groups of keys one group being allotted to the group selector members in the first selector, another key group being allotted to the unit selector members in the first selector, a third key group being allotted to the group selector members in the second selector, a fourth key group being allotted to the units selector members in the second selector, means responsive to the operation of a key in the first key group for selectively operating one of the group selector members in the first selector, means responsive to the operation of a key in the second group for operating a unit selector in said first selector and for operating one of said clutches, means responsive to the operation of a key in the third key group for selectively operating one of the group selectors in the second selector, and means responsive to the operation of a key in the fourth group for operating a unit selector in said second selector and for operating the other of said clutches.

1'7. A keyboard-controlled typewriter for printing any oneoi a large number of characters employing a very much smaller number of keys, comprising a drum having character type faces arranged in successive rows, means to rotate said drum, stop means for stopping the rotation of the drum to present a desired type face to a printing position, and keyboard-controlled selector mechanism for controlling said stop means, said selector mechanism comprising a series of movable stops, a first set of selectively shiftable members arranged in groups but normally out of registry with said stops, a second set oi selectively shiitable members, means to operate a selected group of said first set to bring said selected group into registry with a corresponding number of said stops, and means to selectively operate one of said second set of shiftable members and thereby to move one of said stops to a selected position particular member of the operated group in said first set.

18. A keyboard-controlled typewriter according to claim 1'7 in which said first set of shiftable members are located betweenthe said stops and said second set of shiftable members.

19. A keyboard-controlled typewriter according to claim 17 in which said first set of shiftable members are mounted for movement in groups in a direction transverse to the line of action of said second set of shiftable members, the indil vidual shiftable members of said first s'et being also mounted for individual movement in a direction parallel to the line of action of said sec- 0nd set of members.

20. In a Chinese language typewriter and the a first selector mechamsm for controlling the rotary stopping of said drum, a second selector mechanism for controlling the stopping of the axial movement of said drum, each of said selector mechanisms including a series of tens and aseries of units selector devices, a keyboard having 21. A Chinese language typewriter according to claim 20 in which electro-magnets are provided device; energizing circuits are provided between the keyboard and said electro-magnets for con- 1'6 trolling energization thereof; and a common printer control key is provided, said key having contacts which control the energizing and release circuits of said electro-magnets.

22. A keyboard-controlled typewriter comprising a type face drum, a printing hammer, means to produce relative coordinate motions between second selector mechanism also comprising tens and units selector devices for controlling the other of said motions; a keyboard having the keys vices is provided with a. series of electro-magnets for operating it to select a particular member in the operated set of tens selector devices.

CHUNG-CHIN KAO. 

